Town Fortification Bonn-Sterntor

The origins of the Bonn city fortification date back to the 13th century. After the granting of city rights in 1244 by the Archbishop of Cologne, Konrad von Hochstaden, the construction of a medieval city wall began. This had four main gates: the Stockentor in the south, the Sterntor in the west, the Kölntor in the north, and the Rheinpforte in the east. In the 17th century, particularly after the experiences of the Thirty Years' War and the threat of modern artillery, the medieval complex was reinforced with Baroque bastions. These extensions, which lasted from 1622 to 1642, included the Zollbastion and other bulwarks. The fortification suffered partial destruction during the occupations of Bonn in 1673, 1689, 1703, and 1811, but was always repaired. The original Sterntor, demolished in 1898 for traffic, was rebuilt in 1900 at a different location using parts of the old building fabric.